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2013-08-23: Mark, The Gospel of Immediacy.

Mark, The Gospel of Immediacy.

A characteristic term which occurs with great frequency in Mark's Gospel is
the Greek word Eutheos," which is variously translated
"straight away, immediately" etc. Notice a few of the occurrences of
this word in the first chapter alone: "And straight away coming up out of
the water, He saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending
upon Him" (v. 10). "And immediately the Spirit drove Him into the
wilderness" (v. 12). "And when He had gone a little further, He saw
James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, who also were in the ship
mending their nets, And straight away He called them" (vv. 19,20).
"And they went into Capernaum; and straight away on the sabbath day He
entered into the synagogue, and taught" (v. 21). "And immediately
when they were come out of the synagogue, they entered into the house of Simon"
(v. 29). "And He came and took her by the hand, and lifted her up, and
immediately the fever left her" (v. 31). "And He straight away
charged him, and immediately sent him away"(v. 43).

In all, this word is found no less than forty times in Mark’s Gospel. It is
a most suggestive and expressive term, bringing out the perfections of God’s
Servant by showing us how He served. There was no tardiness about Christ’s
service, but "straight away" He was ever about His "Father’s
business." There was no delay, but "immediately" He performed
the work given Him to do. This word tells of the promptitude of His service and
the urgency of His mission. There was no holding back, no reluctance, no
slackness, but a blessed "immediateness" about all His work. We
should all learn from this perfect example which He has left us.